The MINIMUM requirements for spiritual leadership.New Heart Community Church
Series: Doing Church God’s Way
I Timothy 3:1-16 “The Marks of Maturity”
March 8-9, 2008
THE BIG PICTURE:
The MINIMUM requirements for spiritual leadership.
The telltale MARKS of spiritual MATURITY.
THE PASSAGE:
I Timothy 3:1-16(NIV)
1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
8Deacons (position of “service”…NOT leadership), likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. (he’s writing to men…but deacon role is filled by both men and women in scripture…deacon just means “someone who serves”)
12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
I. Spiritual Maturity In A Nutshell: No GLARING WEAKNESSES.
II. Notice what’s Not In The List:
► GIFTEDNESS
► SPIRITUAL POWER
Matthew 7:21-23(NIV)
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
► THEOLOGICAL TRAINING
John 13:17(NIV)
17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you DO them.
► RELIGIOUS DISCIPLINES
► ZEAL
III. What’s ON the list:
a. “husband of one wife”
► Literally: A ONE WOMAN MAN
► What’s The Difference?
§ It eliminates anyone SINGLE, DIVORCED or REMARRIED.
§ It contradicts the REST OF SCRIPTURE.
I Corinthians 6:9-11I(NIV)
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
§ It focuses on MARITAL STATUS, not MORAL PURITY.
§ It makes the PAST more important than the PRESENT.
b. “Not quarrelsome”
►If I’m contentious for the RIGHT THINGS, I’m still CONTENTIOUS!
Proverbs 17:19(NIV)
He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
c. A family UNDER CONTROL.
I Timothy 3:4-5(NIV)
4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)
d. Not a RECENT CONVERT.
I Timothy 3:6(NIV)
6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
e. A good reputation with NON-CHRISTIANS.
I Timothy 3:7(NIV)
7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.
Application
What is my “take away” today?